Bulldog Kia - Service Center

This is an amazing dealership, and an amazing manufacturer Wow - just amazing! In 2011 I purchased a new Kia Sorento from Bulldog. It met all my criteria: Safety, Reliability, Warranty, Dealer dependability Wow - just amazing! In 2011 I purchased a new Kia Sorento from Bulldog. It met all my criteria: Safety, Reliability, Warranty, Dealer dependability, Economy, and room. The Sorento performed flawlessly for three years! So in 2015, we purchased our SECOND Kia Sorento from Bulldog Kia, and for the same reasons. Not only that - but me experience with the folks at this dealership over the three years was consistent superior customer service. Every time. When we bought our 2015 Kia Sorento, we were looking for the same things: Safety, Reliability, Warranty, (by now we KNEW what a great dealer we had), Economy and room. True to fashion, this car performed flawlessly as well. Never once failed to start, never left us stranded and never had an issue. Here is the amazing part: When we finally did have an issue at 110,000 miles, let me share with you what happened and how they responded. We bought the car because it had a 100,000 mile warranty. Unknown to me, Kia manufacturer had issued a bulletin on the particular engine in our Sorento, but we never had a problem. But, at 110,000 miles, we had a big problem. The engine seized. I called Bulldog Kia, and they immediately went to work on our behalf. They contacted Kia manufacturing and called me back within ten minutes. Get this: With a blown motor at 10,000 miles OUT of warranty - here is what they did. At THEIR expense, they: Towed our car nearly two hours to the service department. They replaced the entire engine. They gave me a rental car for the duration of the repair And it did not cost me one dime. Not a penny! Not only that, but the engine they put back in, came with a 15 year, unlimited mileage new warranty!! This does not happen in the auto business! So yeah - amazing is hardly the word to convey what a superior job they do in taking care of their customers. If you are looking for a reliable car, backed up by a manufacturer that stands behind their product, and a dealership that you can count on at any time to be your advocate - Kia is the car and Bulldog is the dealer. I am absolutely sold on the Kia brand, and Bulldog Kia. I've bought many a car in my 59 years. I've owned Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Acura, and Jeeps. But none of those brands performed 'flawlessly.' They all had issues - some minor, several major. But not a one with kia. And when, after ten years and two cars I finally DID have an issue - they took care of it even when out of warranty! And took care of my transportation while being repaired. If dependability, reliability, integrity, and superior customer service are important to you - I implore you, go to Bulldog Kia. What an amazing car and amazing dealership! FIVE STARS! Wish I could give more. Randy Kanipe Lincolnton Ga. More

Inept Service Department Just finished the first service of my Stinger GT1 at the purchasing dealership. Car has just over 4300 miles on it, I've been moderately driving but n Just finished the first service of my Stinger GT1 at the purchasing dealership. Car has just over 4300 miles on it, I've been moderately driving but nothing crazy. However, I have two out of town trips planned for the following two weekends, so I figured now would be a good time to get some new oil. New car purchases from this dealer include two service visits (Oil & filter change, tire rotation, general inspection, and fluids). I arrived for my appointment and met with the shop manager (?), Justin. We talked about a few items: What type of oil are you going to use? I requested a full synthetic. Do you wash the car? If it's not touch-less, I don't want it. I need the driver tech camera sensor re-calibrated because the last dealership that replaced my broken sensor from the factory, somehow disengaged my Automatic High Bean Assist feature. No, problem - he says it's a quick fix with a tablet. I also mentioned the cover panel over the oil plug and my caution about over tightening the plastic oil cartridge cap. Yep - all good. After stressing those few points, they told me it would be about an hour, which is standard. I was looking to get some lunch instead of hanging out in the show room, and they were nice enough to set me up with an Uber service to and from a Chick-fil-a nearby. Very cool of them. I get back to the dealership and then my evaluation truly starts: The guy checking me out (Colin, not Justin, but a counter guy) tells me that they rotated my tires, which wasn't mentioned on arrival. This car has a staggered set of tires (different sizes front and rear). Just to double check, I asked if they had done a side-side rotation only. Cue dumbfounded looks all around. He goes to confirm with the "new guy" (of course) who did my service and wouldn't you know it, he did a standard rotation. They have to swap the 225s back up front. The tech later confesses to me that this was his first Stinger, but that he "took extra care of it." Strike 1. When checking out I also ask to confirm that the tech added the full synthetic oil that I requested. Cue more dumbfounded gaze. Counter guy check with the tech again - nope - synthetic blend. Sigh. Strike 2. Now my "Oh, s*#t. What kind of dummies did I just give my brand new car to?" alarm starts going haywire. So after saying my goodbyes and assuring myself that the wheels are in the right locations. I get home and double check the oil level. To my complete non-surprise it is showing well above full on the dipstick after proper checking method (warm up to temp, turn off, sit 5 mins, pull, wipe, dip, check). MFers are useless! Strike 3. Counter guy assures me that the High Beam Assist feature is now working correctly again. Just sat in the dark garage, turned on the high beams, and the "auto" wording still does not show. Unless the car needs to be on and moving - it's also not fixed. So today, I drained the dealer's oil, rechecked all the fittings/screws/covers/etc, and refilled the oil to the proper level. Wouldn't you know it, the idiot with the torque driver cross threaded three of the screws that hold on the underbody cover. I guess I'll just have to continue to live without the HBA (High Beam Assist) for a little while longer. Not too keen on visiting a dealer again any time soon. In closing, Bulldog Kia can keep their second oil change. I would not recommend their service department for anyone expecting knowledgeable or detailed service of a Stinger or any car for that matter. Although polite, they don't seem to have a good communication plan within the shop (or maybe they just don't give AF) and they have no idea (or training) of the nuances of this higher caliber KIA. Apparently there is a very low bar to start slinging a wrench at a KIA dealership. (Hint: This is why BMW and Audi customers are going to stay away or, at the very least, run back to a higher tier brand. KIA dealer service is a joke.) Oh - and they don't even wash cars anymore because their runoff was going directly into the storm drains. So at least they didn't get the opportunity to f*@k that up. From now on I will do my own maintenance CORRECTLY. This message will be passed along to any and all, including corporate, who inquire or are willing to listen. More